Health Department Establishes Second Free Tire Drop Off Event

Based on the success of its Tire Amnesty Day in June, the Marion County Health Department's mosquito control program will sponsor a second event August 9.

In June, the health department collected more than 1,600 passenger tires. Based on the response, the health department will again be collecting tires to improve the local environment, assist area residents in getting rid of the tires and eliminating a major mosquito breeding site.

Tire Amnesty Day encourages Marion County residents to drop off up to six passenger tires, off of the rim, to either the health department's mosquito control headquarters at 4001 East 21st. There will be no charge for the drop off. The drop off will last from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.

"The community has responded to this event in a way we truly appreciate. Each tire we can collect and recycle helps our environment and gives mosquitoes one less place to lay their eggs," said Virginia A. Caine, M.D., director, Marion County Health Department.

The increasing number of tires discarded in Marion County, combined with increased costs for collecting and recycling those tires and the link between abandoned tires and West Nile virus has created a need for such partnerships.

Last year, the Marion County Health Department collected more than 21,000 tires. Besides creating an eyesore, abandoned tires create what local health officials' call the ideal mosquito-breeding site.

"The dark color of the tire attracts and retains heat, holds enough water to hatch eggs and offers protection from predators and chemical treatments," said Chuck Dulla, administrator for the health department's mosquito program. "These mosquitoes are the ones linked to West Nile virus in humans," said Dulla.

In 2007, Marion County reported 4 cases of West Nile virus in humans. For more information on the Marion County Health Department's Tire Amnesty Day, please call (317) 221-7440.